Novel inhibitors of pyroptosis promise breakthroughs in treating inflammatory diseases and malignant tumors. In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Hu et al.1 identify two repurposed drugs that selectively target gasdermin D (GSDMD) oligomers, effectively suppressing pyroptosis while reducing off-target effects typical of cysteine-based inhibitors.

The molecular underpinnings behind the diet-microbiome-host health relationship are largely undescribed. In a recent issue of Science, Cheng et al.1 uncovered one piece of the puzzle by describing a novel fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) derived from a Faecalibacterium prausnitzii strain that correlated with improved malnutrition recovery. This emphasized the microbiome’s role in supporting recovery

Obesity is a leading risk factor and a negative prognostic indicator for many cancers. In a recent issue of Science Immunology, Bagchi et al. identified that tumor-associated macrophages upregulate GPR65 in response to obesity-driven intratumor acidity resulting in reduced effector function to promote tumor growth.1

Advances in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy and cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) have revealed the polymorphic nature of the amyloid state of proteins. Given the association of amyloid with protein misfolding disorders, it is important to understand the principles underlying this polymorphism. To address this problem, we combined computational tools to predict the

To enhance the safety and security of the US bioeconomy, a new public–private partnership should be established to facilitate information sharing and threat analysis among industry, government and academia, and to develop and deploy safeguards.

After two decades of experience with biosimilars, physicochemical and in vitro biological comparison with their reference products appear sufficient to guarantee clinical safety and efficacy. Hence, the regulation of biosimilars has become redundant, and biopharmaceuticals should now be regulated through the generic pathway available for small molecules.

Genomes are organised into DNA loops by the Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) proteins. SMCs establish functional chromosomal sub-domains for DNA repair, gene expression and chromosome segregation, but how SMC activity is specifically targeted is unclear. Here, we define the molecular mechanism targeting the condensin SMC complex to specific chromosomal regions in budding yeast. A conserved

The identification of pathways that control elimination of protein inclusions is essential to understand the cellular response to proteotoxicity, particularly in the nuclear compartment, for which our knowledge is limited. We report that stress-induced nuclear inclusions related to the nucleolus are eliminated upon stress alleviation during the recovery period. This process is independent of autophagy/lysosome

Regulation of protein longevity via the ubiquitin (Ub) - proteasome pathway is fundamental to eukaryotic biology. Ubiquitin E3 ligases (E3s) interact with substrate proteins and provide specificity to the pathway. A small subset of E3s bind to specific exposed N-termini (N-degrons) and promote the ubiquitination of the bound protein. Collectively these E3s, and other N-degron binding proteins, are

UBE2M, an essential neddylation E2 enzyme, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancers, viral infections, and obesity. However, whether UBE2M is involved in the pathogenesis of bacterial sepsis remains unclear. In an Escherichia coli (E. coli)-induced sepsis mouse model, increased UBE2M expression in macrophages in liver and lung tissues postinfection was observed

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) mediated by PROTACs (proteolysis targeting chimeras) or molecular glues is an emerging therapeutic strategy. Despite greater than 600 E3 ligases and their associated components, a limited number have been deployed in TPD. Those commonly used include cereblon (CRBN) and von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL), which are expressed widely and for which high affinity

The Golgi stress response is an important cytoprotective system that enhances Golgi function in response to cellular demand, while cells damaged by prolonged Golgi stress undergo cell death. OSW-1, a natural compound with anticancer activity, potently inhibits OSBP that transports cholesterol and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) at contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi

Human genetic disorders are often caused by mutations of compound heterozygosity, where each allele of the mutant gene harbors a different genetic lesion. However, studies of such mutations are hampered, due to the lack of an appropriate model. Here we describe a kinetic model of compound heterozygous variants in an obligate enzyme dimer that contains one mutation in one monomer and the other mutation

Ephexin proteins are guanine nucleotide exchange factors for the Rho GTPases. We reported that Ephexin4 regulates M-phase progression downstream of phosphorylated EphA2, a receptor-type tyrosine kinase, through RhoG activation; however, the regulation of Ephexin4 during M phase remains unknown. In this study, a novel Ephexin4 phosphorylation site was identified at Ser41, exclusively in M phase. Ephexin4

Prohibitins (PHBs) are ubiquitously expressed proteins in the mitochondrial inner membrane (MIM) that provide membrane scaffolds for both mitochondrial proteins and phospholipids. Eukaryotic PHB complexes contain two highly homologous PHB subunits, PHB1 and PHB2, which are involved in various cellular processes, including metabolic control through the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and integrity

SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) autocatalytically releases itself out of the viral polyprotein to form a fully active mature dimer in a manner that is not fully understood. Here, we introduce several tools to help elucidate differences between cis (intramolecular) and trans (intermolecular) proteolytic processing and to evaluate inhibition of precursor Mpro. We found that many mutations at the P1 position

Neutrophils are a part of the innate immune system and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to extinguish pathogens. The major source of ROS in neutrophils is NADPH oxidase, which is fueled by NADPH generated via the pentose phosphate pathway; however, it is unclear how other accessory glucose metabolism pathways and mitochondrial activity influence the respiratory burst. We examined the temporal

The bacterium Geotalea uraniireducens, commonly found in uranium-contaminated environments, plays a key role in bioremediation strategies by converting the soluble hexavalent form of uranium (UVI) into less soluble forms (e.g. UIV.). While most of the reduction and concomitant precipitation of uranium occur outside the cells, there have been reports of important reduction processes taking place in

Polymorphic microbial immune evasion proteins dictate the pathogen species- or strain-specific virulence. Metals can impact how microbial proteins confer host-pathogen interactions, but whether this activity can be allelically variable is unclear. Here, we investigate the polymorphic CspZ protein of Lyme disease (LD) spirochete bacteria to assess the role of metals in protein-protein interaction. CspZ

The recently discovered microbiome-generated obesogen, δ-valerobetaine (5-(trimethylammonio)pentanoate), is a 5-carbon structural analogue of the carnitine precursor, γ-butyrobetaine. Here, we report that δ-valerobetaine is enzymatically hydroxylated by mammalian γ-butyrobetaine dioxygenase (BBOX) to form 3-hydroxy-5-(trimethylammonio)pentanoate, a 5-carbon analogue of carnitine, which we term homocarnitine

Cobalamin (Cbl) is an essential cofactor for methionine synthase (MS) and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT), but it must first undergo chemical processing for utilization in animals. In humans, this processing comprises β-axial ligand cleavage and Cbl reduction and is performed by the enzyme MMACHC (HsCblC). Although the functionality of CblC is well-understood in higher order organisms, little is known

Trypanosoma cruzi is a flagellated protozoan and the etiological agent of Chagas Disease, a neglected tropical disease described by Carlos Chagas in 1909 that remains without appropriate diagnostics and treatment. Throughout its life cycle, T. cruzi undergoes through many different environments, requiring adaptation of its metabolism to different nutrition sources. Recent studies have confirmed the

Hydrogenases are key enzymes forming or consuming hydrogen. The inactivation of these transition metal biocatalysts with oxygen limits their biotechnological applications. Oxygen-sensitive hydrogenases are distinguished from oxygen-insensitive (tolerant) ones by their initial hydrogen turnover rates influenced by oxygen. Several hydrogenases, such as the oxygen-sensitive bidirectional [NiFe] Hox hydrogenase

Mitochondria synthesize only a small set of their proteins on endogenous mitoribosomes. These particles differ in structure and composition from both their bacterial 70S ancestors and cytosolic 80S ribosomes. Recently published high resolution structures of the human mitoribosome revealed the presence of three [2Fe-2S] clusters in the small and large subunits. Each of these clusters is coordinated

The electrochemical potentials of redox-active proteins need to be tuned accurately to the correct values for proper biological function. Here we describe a diheme cytochrome c with high heme redox potentials of about +350 mV, despite having a large overall negative charge which typically reduces redox potentials. High resolution crystal structures, spectroelectrochemical measurements and high-end

Synaptic adhesion molecules are essential components of the synapse, yet the diversity of these molecules and their associated functions remain to be fully characterized. Extracellular leucine rich repeat and fibronectin type III domain containing 1 (ELFN1) is a postsynaptic adhesion molecule in the brain that has been increasingly implicated in human neurological disease. ELFN1 is best known for trans-synaptically

Metastasis is a major cause of fatality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although the precise mechanisms driving the metastatic process remain incompletely understood. In this study, we have made several important findings. Firstly, we have discovered that elevated activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) expression is positively correlated with Jagged 1 (JAG1) levels in clinically metastatic

Bile acids are signaling molecules with critical roles in cholesterol and lipid metabolism, achieved by regulating the transcriptional activity of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR, NR1H4), otherwise known as the bile acid receptor. Modifications to the C6 position of the steroidal core yield bile acid derivatives with 100x improved potency over endogenous bile acids. Prevailing hypotheses suggested increased

Sparxell has made cellulose nanocrystals and could replace the shine in synthetic dyes, microplastics and unsustainable mined glitters such as titania or mica with natural, biodegradable components. Its cellulose nanocrystals reflect light to produce vibrant colors, just as in butterfly wings and peacock tails but using wood pulp or other plant waste instead. The colors are durable and fade resistant

Generative artificial intelligence models of molecular biology are often restricted to individual molecules or DNA segments and are built in a way that makes them computationally demanding when applied to long sequences. The ability to capture broader genomic interactions will be crucial for both the understanding and engineering of complex biological processes. Writing in Science, Nguyen et al. introduce

Beam Therapeutics’ early clinical data on its base-editing therapy BEAM-101 shows for the first time that the technology restores functional hemoglobin in people with sickle cell disease. In four patients treated with BEAM-101, functional fetal hemoglobin levels increased to over 60% at 1–6 months follow-up, and patients’ red blood cells had less sickling, reduced cell adhesion and improved flow properties

Recent patents relating to compositions, methods of preparation and use of stem cells.

The domestication of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) has led to a massive increase in fruit size but at the cost of decreased sugar levels, a negative correlation that is probably the consequence of a loss of high-sugar alleles. In a study published in Nature, Zhang et al. engineer a sweet tomato that maintains its high yield and weight by mutating a gene that encodes a protein that regulates sugar accumulation

One year after partnering with clinical-stage Biotheus on a bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A, BioNTech announced the acquisition of the Zhuhai, China–based company for $800 million, with up to $150 million in potential milestone payments. The purchase gives BioNTech full global rights to Biotheus’s lead candidate PM8002, also known as BNT327; a pipeline of ten programs in various stages

The human genome contains thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), of which very few have been linked to a functional role. Although DNA-targeting CRISPR screens have identified functional lncRNAs, these screens suffer from limited specificity as DNA-based perturbation of lncRNA loci might also suppress nearby protein-coding genes and other regulatory elements. Writing in Cell, Liang et al. overcome

Cuba provides a rare example of a publicly owned biotech sector in a low-income country. Since its founding in 1986, Cuba’s Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) has overseen the development of the country’s biopharmaceutical sector, from the initial conception of a drug through preclinical studies, clinical trials, licensing, manufacturing and export. We outlined the achievements

Implementation of intellectual property education in academic institutions can result in increased opportunities for protecting intellectual property and limit costs, but to be successful technology transfer offices must also adapt.

Recent moves of note in and around the biotech and pharma industries.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) can give rise to both neurons and glia, but the regulatory mechanisms governing their differentiation transitions remain incompletely understood. Here, we address the role of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) in the later stages of dorsal cortical development. We find that the CDKIs p18 and p27 are upregulated at the onset of astrocyte generation. Acute manipulation

The Phosphatases of Regenerating Liver (PRLs) are members of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) superfamily that play pro-oncogenic roles in cell proliferation, migration, and survival. We previously demonstrated that PRLs can post-translationally downregulate PTEN, a tumor suppressor frequently inactivated in human cancers, by dephosphorylating PTEN at Tyr336, which promotes the NEDD4-mediated

Epitope mapping is a technique employed to define the region of an antigen that elicits an immune response, providing crucial insight into the structural architecture of the antigen as well as epitope-paratope interactions. With this breadth of knowledge, immunotherapies, diagnostics, and vaccines are being developed with a rational and data-supported design. Traditional epitope mapping methods are

A dense glycocalyx, composed of the megaDalton-sized membrane mucin MUC17, coats the microvilli in the apical brush border of transporting intestinal epithelial cells, called enterocytes. The formation of the MUC17-based glycocalyx in the mouse small intestine occurs at the critical suckling-weaning transition. The glycocalyx extends 1 µm into the intestinal lumen and prevents the gut bacteria from

Correction to: Nature Chemical Biology https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-022-01048-w, published online 4 July 2022.

Imbalances in testicular iron levels are linked to compromised sperm production and male infertility. Iron regulatory proteins (IRP) 1 and 2 play crucial roles in cellular iron regulation. We investigated the role of IRP1 on spermatogenesis using Irp1-deficient mice (Irp1-/-). Histological analysis of the testis of Irp1-/- mice revealed hypospermatogenesis with a significant reduction in the number

Formins play crucial roles in actin polymerization by nucleating filaments and regulating their elongation. Formins bind the barbed ends of filaments via their dimeric FH2 domains, which step processively onto incoming actin subunits during elongation. Actin monomers can bind formin-bound barbed ends directly or undergo diffusion-mediated delivery through interactions with formin FH1 domains and profilin